In Loving Memory of Hunter James KirklandOctober 31, 1997 - October 12, 2005

This image is a loving gift to Hunter's family from my dear friend Linda.

For Hunter's 8th Birthday ~ Without Him ~ we had cake for him anyway.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Cowboy

All the angel cowgirls and cowboys
Are singing Happy Birthday in Heaven today
To a very special young cowboy
Our Hunter is twenty years old today

How special it must be in heaven
When a birthday comes around
Everyday must be a special day
Having family, friends and angels all around

Our cowboy is having a root'n toot'n time
I feel in my heart, that this is true
Oh, our cowboy Hunter
We are celebrating your birthday too

Happy Birthday cowboy
We send our love up to you
Though we cannot be there celebrating
We will celebrate here for you

By Doyle Alldredge,
Revised 31 October 2017

Hunter on his 7th birthday, all grown up!

Letter From Heaven

To my dearest family and friends, some things I'd like to say...But first or, to let you know, that I arrived okay.I'm writing this from Heaven. Here I dwell with God above.Here there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Hunter again on his 7th birthday, he loved his Harley bike

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me, and he said, "I welcome you!It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.As for your dearest famiy, they'll be here later on.I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.There's so much we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that He wished for me to do.And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.God and I are close to you... in the middle of the night.

Hunter's girl friends from school on his 7th birthday.

Hunter on his 7th birthday.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years,Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

On his 6th birthday, here is "Power Ranger" Hunter with is powerful swing!

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over,I'm closer to you now than I ever was before.

Hunter again on his 6th birthday. He loved his Power Rangers! The hippy in the back is Mom, holding Grandson Just-Audrey.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you, and many hills to climb;But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.It was always my philosophy, and I'd like it for you too...That as you give unto the world, the world will give unto you.

Hunter's 6th birthday again. His Aunt Faye would always dress up, and he always had his classmates at his party.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,Then you can say to God at night... "My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented... that my life has been worthwhile,Knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

Hunter looking at his cake on his 5th birthday. He always wanted me to make his cakes instead of buying them.

Hunter again on his 5th birthday. He loved his LeapFrog - he said he was going to be smarter than all of us. And he was!

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

Hunter again on his 5th birthday. He was so proud of his new bike!

And when it's time for you to go... from that body to be free,Remember you're not going... you're coming here to me.

The next day after Hunter's funeral, I opened my door, and the poem above, "Letter From Heaven," was on it!!

Cowboy's Birthday

It's my cowboy's birthday
He hasn't come in from the range
He is mending fences for the Master now
The cowboy will not ride in today
We gather round to celebrate as we used to do
Swapping memories about the cowboy
Our hearts ache to see him once more
Cowboy, we take our hats off to you
Happy birthday to you, our friend
I know you're smiling up there
We sure all very much miss you
Someday we'll ride the range with you again
By Doyle Alldredge,
13 October 2008

Our Cowboy's Twentieth Birthday

Today we celebrate our cowboy's Birthday
He cannot be with us today
Twenty years ago this cowboy rode into our lives
Touching us all in his short stay

Hunter, we feel you are with us
Our hearts are touched by you
Our memories brings you to us
As we sing Happy Birthday to you

Today is our cowboy's birthday
And Hunter James is his name
So proud we are of our cowboy
We always mention his name

Please celebrate with us today
Wishing our cowboy a Happy Birthday
May your hearts be blessed By God above
From Hunter and His Family, we send our love.

By Doyle Alldredge,
Revised 31 October 2017

Hunter, Katlin and Grandma, on his 5th birthday.

Hunter, Aunt Faye, and a friend on Hunter's 5th birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ^j^ HUNNER BUNNER ^j^

Happy Birthday, my precious son. Another year has come and now again we are celebrating without you. Oh God, I cannot believe you would be 20 years old! Time and the years have passed quickly but the memories move slowly. This is a good thing though, you will never be forgotten. I share all the time your memories with everyone, and I tell everyone to please mention your name, yes it hurts, but it would hurt more if no one ever spoke of you again. You were so young and a very very special young boy, mama loves you so much. I wished I could have taken away your pain and gone in your place, but God saw it differently and needed you more than I. I remember you telling me, "mama please don't cry, I will be alright and so will you." I know you are happy in Heaven and having a great time and have met lots of new friends, but mama is not alright and I still cry for you and hurt for you, and I will 'til I am there with you and holding you close to me. I will be thinking of you as these days in October come and go and send all of my love to you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LITTLE MAN, MAMA LOVES YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK AND BACK AGAIN. Forever in my BROKEN HEART !!!!

These are three beautiful and loving gifts for Angel Hunter from my dear friend, Marie. You can visit her website for her Angel Rob here ~Rob Northrop's Site

Hunter's 5th birthday - love that smile!

Hunter on his 4th birthday - he loved the cakes that I would always make for him!

To Ride The 8 Second Ride

My cowboy wanted to be a bullrider
This was his life goal
To have a chance of the 8 second ride
The ride he never got to behold

Do you think God has a special place in heaven
Where bullriders can take that 8 second ride
To feel the wonderment and excitement
To have ridden the 8 second ride

Hunter and his favorite birthday guest, on his 4th birthday. Hunter called him Mr. Funkin Head - he couldn't say his P's too well.

Our cowboy never got his chance to ride a bull
His dream vanished when God called his name
Our dreams of seeing him ride the bulls are now gone
Our lives have been affected by this change

Do you think God has a special place in heaven
Where bullriders can take that 8 second ride
To feel the wonderment and excitement
To have ridden the 8 second ride

Hunter with chaps, boots, hat and his pal Blue, the dog. The chaps were a gift from his Daddy for his 4th birthday. Ready to Cowboy Up!

Perhaps there may be a rodeo in heaven
Where all cowboys and bullriders can go
To accomplish what they could not accomplish here
Riding the 8 second ride in God's heavenly rodeo

By Doyle Alldredge,
13 October 2007

Hunter's 4th birthday, he was always trying to make Blue wear hats. He called him his Cowboy Dog.

Hunter on his 3rd birthday with his cousin, Grandmaw and his favorite horse quilt.

Hunter and Mom on his 3rd birthday. Loved those horses!

Where The Ponies Play

There is a place in Heaven,Where noble ponies play.They run in sunlit meadows,Graze fields of golden hay.

Some have pulled a farmer's plow,Some a childhood friend.Some took a weary soldier home, At battle's end.

To thee, dear Lord, I do pray,That when you call me home,You take me to that special place,So I can watch them roam.Written by Donna Kessler, Copyright 2006

Donna also wrote: "I just visited Angel Hunter's site. And I am so very sorry for your loss... And God bless the decisions you had to make at such a hard time. I am a horse lover as well, we have two. I am enclosing a poem I wrote. Please feel free to use it or just print a copy to keep. May God always walk near you and carry you when you can no longer walk."Donna, Mom to Angel Christopher

Dad, Hunter and cousin, cutting the cake on Hunter's 3rd birthday.

Hunter and Grandmaw on his 3rd birthday, swinging at the pinata.

Dear Hunter

Your Birthday will be October 31,
You would have been 20 years old this time,
but with me you will always be forever 7,
when the angels came and got you and
took you to your new home in Heaven.
Mama just wants you to know, I will still have
cake and balloons for you until the day I leave to
come and be with you and my Lord Jesus Christ.
The days and nights are never going to be the same anymore,
you are so missed by all. But you do live on in others and
they tell me everytime they get a chance that it is an Honor
to keep you living on in them. Oh Hunter, how precious is that
and that is a decision you made all by yourself. God loves all the
beautiful little children, and he is filling up Heaven with alot of our
precious angels. Happy Birthday, Hunter, I LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER!!

Hunter bobbing for apples on his 3rd birthday. He didn't really like getting his face wet.

As each day closes, mama is getting closer to you, I can not wait til I
see you at those gates with Jesus, and you take my hand to go and meet
him, I do hope Jesus will give me a few minutes with you, because I
got to have a big sloppy kiss, and a tight hug, one that I will never let you
go away from me again. I hope you have met alot of good friends in
Heaven, and I know you have because you loved all, You all just take care
of each other, and you tell all the other angels their mommies misses them
so much too!! Mama wants to just say HAPPY ANGEL DAY, AND A VERY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, be sure to catch all the balloons, especially the RED
one that I will be sending to you, I know Red is your favorite color and there
will be a special note in there for you.You are always in my thoughts and always
will be forever in my Heart.

Hunter on his 3rd birthday. He loved to sing "Jesus Loves Me."

Bubba, Sissy and Hunter on his 3rd birthday.

Looks like Hunter was really proud of his new shoes! This was his 3rd birthday again. Love that smile!

Remember I love you,
Though we are apart for now,
You will never ever be too far
away. You will always be in my Heart.
This journey will come for each of us,
I will be on that road to home someday,
to you, with you waiting there for me!!

Mom and Hunter on his 2nd birthday.

MAMA LOVES YOU "TO THE MOON AND BACK AND BACK AGAIN"
Linda (Hunter's Mom Forever)

Hunter and Tyler - Elmo and Dracula - on Hunter's 2nd birthday.

Hunter and friend bobbing for apples on his 2nd birthday.

Dearest Hunter

I love my cowboy to the moon and back
And back again
Knowing you are in Heaven alive
And knowing that I will reunite
With you soon, is one
Of my deepest treasures
I love you Hunter
Cowboy up and kick some dirt
For Mama and Daddy
Ride the bulls to the rainbows
Love, Mom

Hunter on his 2nd birthday, finally got an apple!

Hunter and Dad with the pinata on his 2nd birthday.

Hunter with his Aunt Faye on his 1st birthday.

Happy Birthday

It's your birthday
I am without you
How I want to wish you a happy birthday
But I feel so lonely and blue
I should feel happy
At the celebration of your birth
You were a gift from God
My most precious gift of all the earth
Yes I will wish you a happy birthday
Wish I could celebrate it with you
I know God's angels will celebrate with you
Happy birthday my child, happy birthday
By Doyle Alldredge

Hunter's 1st year birthday cake!

Hunter 1 year old, with cake!

This is a wonderful gift from my dear friend Carol, mom to Angel Michael.

Below are pictures of Hunter's Grave, Trail and Tree.His schoolmates will be coming to walk this trail and
release balloons on Hunter's B/Day.Hunter's Tree is also at his school, all the kids love to see how I decorate his
tree for all occasions.

"I love my #1 cowboy to the moon and back and back again. Knowing you are in Heaven alive and knowing that I will reunite with you soon, is one of my treasures. I love you Hunter Bunner, "cowboy up", and kick up some dirt for mama and daddy!! Keep raiding those bulls to the rainbows!!"
Mom

This is all of Hunter's classmates from school, 29 of them came to his
trail.

In this picture, everyone is getting ready to walk the trail.

These two pictures above are of more kids walking the trail.

This pic is all his classmates, mom in the back with his second grade
teacher that came to walk his trail also.

All the kids wanted to go and
see his grave, so we crossed the street and they stood at his grave and
talked of him proudly and sweetly

On the back of Hunter's grave stone is his donor metal, and I
explain the organization to them, and how Hunter had made this decision
himself to donate his organs.

This pic is of Hunter's favorite color (red), ten balloons for his 10th birthday.

This is Hunter's would-have-been teacher bowing for a prayer, and the
classmates.

The kids just released the balloons, and they are
looking up to heaven for Hunter to catch them.

This is a picture of Hunter's trail.

This is a pic of an old outhouse, that Hunter used
to be so thrilled over, of how people used those things. I put his hats and
his stuff lizard on top of it.

Here is the celebration table, with food
and cake and balloons.

These are pics of the balloons released to Hunter in Heaven, and in the last one
the balloons all are gone, Hunter caught them all.

Thank you to the following wonderful ladies for all their help with getting the song for Hunter's birthday web page:SusieLindaBeth

A small gift for the Kirkland family on your Angel Hunter's
18th birthday. May God bless and comfort you.GEOFFREY P. EDWARDS

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
(Revelation 21:4, KJV)